I don’t know where you live, but large homes are falling by the wayside. Younger families are spending money to live in the cities and sending children to private schools. Older people are either trying to get rid of the big house or have been lucky to sell, and are buying downsize properties and banking the change.

I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on the exterior. Yes, it can definitely use a new paint color, exterior lighting and possibly landscaping (snow?).

First, the windows….what am I seeing? Why is one side darker than the other?

Then the railing…now that may be code…I can’t tell how high up off the ground the decking is...

I think I would go for more dramatic in trim/window/garage door color. Leave the body of the house color as is…to expensive to change, just to sell.

Not the perfect example, but the idea is…dark trim; dark windows; and dark railings.

Your windows and door have no substantial trim…add some and then paint.

Using black corbels and mini overhangs over the upstairs windows and black hardware on the garage and black light fixtures would add some interest. The attached example is not frenchy, but could be adapted very easily. https://www.houzz.com/photos/cedar-lake-renovation-traditional-exterior-minneapolis-phvw-vp~1954008

The garage doors are very boring and right up front..perhaps add a pergola or some trim, along with new window trim.

"First, the windows….what am I seeing? Why is one side darker than the other?"

Sliders, and your looking at the screen. Change the windows as nothing screams cheap builder grade than sliding windows. Ditch the steel front foor for exactly the same reason. Clipped gables (?) look cheap, and the internal muntins don't help the look either.

Im afraid the screens will have to stay as we have lots of mosquitoes up here in AK. Secondly, I'm not sure how I could solve the landscaping issue because 10 out of 12 months are covered with snow. Thanks for the comments!

Call an architect and be prepared when he tells you you can't get THERE.... from here. For any amount of money. Basically ditto to Sophie. Sorry.....no.

It's a "spec" take on a raised ranch from 1970. That's what it is.

Hey now! I bought some darn expensive sliders!!

Cow, can you take a photo from a little further back, showing the setting better? You might not be able to go French, but I'm sure it can be dressed up somehow!

If replacing the garage doors is not in the budget, paint them the color of the siding.
bigger light fixtures would help.
I agree, darker trim and railings would provide some contrast (especially with almost year round snow. ...), but maybe deep brown or forest green. Black will probably highlight the White windows. Upload the house to a paint company site, and play with it. New efficient windows, not sliders, might actually give you a great payback if touted properly when you sell. Sliders are about the least efficient, at least in my area... which is about as far from you as you can get, in the continental USA. Maybe these are well rated. I don't know. Do you? 3200 SF is a lot to heat in Alaska. If I were looking for a house that large in that climate zone, I'd be a lot less concerned about decoration, and s lot more about efficiency... Insulation, window quality, and maybe solar power to offset the huge heating bills...
I would also agree that the front door is kind of boring. if it's steel, and not insulated fiberglass, that's the place I would begin...

Sophie... you just gave me my biggest laugh of the day

Here's your silk purse; you've already got the sow's ear! Maybe a chalet in Chamonix is more attainable in AK. Most think of the south of France, not the cold mountains, when envisioning a "French" house. As some have said, "It is what it is." Maybe you should go French inside and forget about a French exterior.

don't set your sights on French. rather improve on what you have in a way that works with what it is.

french bulldogs and dont touch the home.

The only way you are getting French out of that house is to put up a French Flag and a welcome mat that says Bonjour! If that doesn't work, hire the helicopter and move it to French soil.